CASAC Counselor

About Oswego County Opportunities

Ranking among Oswego County's top ten largest private employers, OCO carries out its mission to inspire partnerships and provide services that empower people, support communities, and change lives through more than 50 programs serving 15,000 people each year.

OCO's Employee benefits include:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance (available to Full-Time staff)
• Paid leave (sick leave, PTO, holidays, etc.)
• 403B Deferred Annuity Retirement Plan
• Term Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

JOB SUMMARY:

Must have and maintain OASAS CASAC credential to be in this position. Acts as a senior leader / role model to CASAC-T and Advocate staff. Assesses needs of the residents. Provides supportive and crisis counseling to individuals in recovery living the halfway residence component of the Chemical Dependence Program and implements individually designed recovery plans. Provides supervision, support, counseling, advocacy, crisis intervention, and on-going services to persons recovering from substance abuse who are making the transition to independent living. Ensures all duties are carried out according to agency/program policies and procedures in conjunction with New York State regulations.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assess needs of the residents; takes appropriate action in carrying out duties and addresses needs independently; consults with Manager on unusual situations.
• Monitors and documents the progress in all areas of recovery of twelve individuals residing in six apartments who are in need of a transitional living environment prior to establishing independent community living.
• Oversees the referral and screening process for prospective admissions including making an initial determination of the individuals’ eligibility for services and completing the level of care determination process incorporating the use of the OASAS Level of Care for Alcohol and Drug Treatment Referral Protocol (LOCADTR).
• Completes a written comprehensive evaluation of each resident in order to obtain the information necessary to develop individual recovery plans.
• Develops recovery plans with each resident that specify goals and objectives to be achieved while the resident is receiving services.
• Maintains progress notes and other individual case records to provide a chronology of a resident’s progress related to the goals established in the service plan and be sufficient to delineate the course and results of services.
• Meets with each resident personally at least once a week to ensure safety, adherence to the established service plan and support for daily independent living, through guidance, training, and assistance, as necessary.
• Provides regular support, counseling, advocacy, crisis intervention, and referral for on-going services for residents in the program.
• Supervises the daily schedule, educational groups and program activities of the residents.
• Provides transportation for residents to appointments in personal vehicle as needed.
• Maintains a good working relationship with treatment providers, healthcare providers, social service agencies, and the criminal justice system to ensure proper documentation and supervision is provided.
• Abides by the federal regulations relating to the confidentiality of resident records as set forth in 42 Code of Federal Regulations Part 2 and other applicable law.
• Purchases routine household supplies and keeps inventory.
• Tracks the use of all medication taken by residents.
• Participates in weekly staff meetings, trainings and in-service

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have thorough knowledge of chemical dependence, the treatment system and be able to relate to the population.
• Must abide by the OASAS Canon of Ethics, the NYS Justice Center Code of Conduct and participate in all training required to maintain CASAC status.
• Must use good judgment in dealing with all situations and circumstances which arise.
• Must exhibit professionalism and flexibility.
• Must be creative in program planning, demonstrate resourcefulness, initiative and objectivity.
• Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision and be able to handle stressful situations in a calm and professional manner.
• Must also be able to work within a team to ensure consumers receive the best quality of life possible.
• Must possess good communication skills and be able to follow complex oral and written directions.
• Must have the ability to relate to consumers in a warm and non-judgmental manner and be a good role model to consumers and staff.
• Must possess a valid New York State Driver’s License with a good driving record within Agency policy and have access to a reliable vehicle for related travel and transporting residents; must complete and maintain Agency vehicle certification.
• Must be motivated to continue professional development and training.
• Must participate in on-call coverage on a rotating basis.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or Equivalent; and
• Credentialed Alcoholism/Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) with three years’ experience in substance abuse.
• Candidates must possess some level of CASAC Certification to be considered

Grade and compensation depends on the credentials the candidate holds:

CASAC-T Grade 11

CASAC Grade 12

Advanced CASAC Grade 13

Full-time - 37.5 hours per week / 52 Weeks Per Year

Scheduled Hours Varied

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Oswego County Opportunities, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, creed, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.